Chapter 24
Penny
The doorbell rings right as I’m smoothing a clay mask across my cheeks.
“Ugh. Who could that be?” I murmur, avocado hair mask dripping down the back of my neck as I make my way toward the door.
Could it be Mami? Shit, what if Easton’s mom told her we’re getting married?
Oh hell. I thought I’d have more time to think about how to break the news to my parents—I’m screwed.
I lean toward the peephole, but instead of seeing who’s outside, I smear clay all over the wood.
“Great.” I grab the nearest paper towel from the kitchen. “Now I have to clean that too.”
“Ms. Penny? Are you there?” Gerome, the building’s doorman, calls through the door.
“Yes! One second,” I shout back while spraying disinfectant onto the mess. If there’s one thing I can’t tolerate, it’s a mess.
Especially when everything already feels chaotic enough.
For the first time in my life, my head and my heart seem determined to destroy each other, and no matter how hard I try, I can’t figure out which one I’m supposed to listen to.
Maybe that’s why I came back to Charlotte this weekend. Maybe I just need my mother.
“Oh, Ms. Penny, I apologize. I didn’t realize…” Gerome lowers his gaze the second he sees me.
“No, I’m the one who should apologize. It’s incredibly unladylike to answer the door looking like this.” I attempt a smile, but the drying clay cracks against my skin, making me look more pained than polite.
“Please,” Gerome says kindly, “you’re gorgeous no matter what.”
The compliment makes me laugh softly. Gerome has worked in this building since it opened, and somehow, he still treats every resident like royalty.
“I won’t take up your time,” he continues. “I just came to deliver these flowers.”
Only then do I notice the enormous arrangement balanced in his arms.
“Oh wow,” I say, attempting another smile and failing just as badly.
“Is there somewhere you’d like me to put them?” he asks when I don’t move to take the arrangement from him.
“Right, sorry.” I shake myself out of my daze. “I’m just a little shocked by the size of that thing.”
I reach underneath the arrangement to help support the weight.
It’s so heavy that there have to be at least a hundred roses packed into the arrangement.
Gerome helps me close the door while I carefully maneuver my way toward the kitchen. Once I set the bouquet on the counter, I take a moment to admire it.
As much as I want these flowers to be from Miles, deep down, I know this isn’t his style.
After inhaling the sweet scent of the roses, I begin searching for the card. That’s when I notice the peonies strategically woven throughout the arrangement.
It’s undeniably beautiful. The soft blush roses paired with the pale peonies create something elegant and undeniably expensive-looking.
But then my traitorous mind drifts to the mason jar Miles once handed me, stuffed with uneven roses he’d picked from his garden himself.
Compared to that, this arrangement loses some of its magic.
Reluctantly, I search for the card.
When I finally find it tucked between the flowers, I take a deep breath before reading it.
My dearest Penny,
Six weeks to say “I do!” I don’t want you to worry about anything. I have everything covered.
All you have to do is wear the dress that will arrive at your doorstep the day before the ceremony and open the door for the styling team that will arrive first thing that morning.
All my love,
Easton.
Not only am I marrying Easton against my will, but he’s apparently planning every detail of the wedding without even asking what I want. If this is going to be the only wedding I ever have, shouldn’t I at least get a say in it?
If this is a preview of what life with him will look like…
I don’t let myself finish the thought.
Closing my eyes, I inhale deeply and slowly let the air leave my lungs. I have to remember why I’m doing this. Dad worked too hard to build everything we have just to let the Ryans take it away from him.
So yes, I have to go through with this charade for my family.
Which is exactly why, an hour later, I find myself driving across Charlotte with Easton’s card still burning a hole in my purse.
By the time I pull into my parents’ driveway, my stomach is in knots.
“Mami?” I call out as I step inside the house.
I probably should’ve called ahead, but I wanted to surprise them.
“Penny Bean,” Mami calls as she rushes into the foyer.
“What are you doing here? I thought you were staying in the town like you’ve been doing for the past month.” Her lips twitch like she’s trying not to smile too hard.
“I missed you and Dad, so I decided to spend the weekend here,” I say with a shrug.
“Penélope Marie.” Her eyes narrow slightly as she studies me. “What happened?”
“Nothing, I seriously just missed you guys.”
I can negotiate million-dollar contracts without breaking a sweat, but the second my mother looks at me like that, I turn into a guilty twelve-year-old. Lying to her has never been one of my talents.
“Fine,” she says knowingly. “I guess I’ll have to bring out the big guns.”
She grabs my hand and leads me toward the kitchen.
I already know what’s coming: food. Specifically, an impressive spread she’ll use to lure information out of me one bite at a time. “What should we start with? she asks while rummaging through the freezer. “?Empanadas o dulce de leche pastries?”
“Why not both?” I grin. “You know I’ll eat it all.”
“You’re not wrong.” A playful little sound leaves her as she closes the freezer. “Besides, I haven’t had my algo yet. Perfect time for my afternoon treat.”
She fires up the coffee maker, and I’m transported back to my childhood in this exact kitchen. Every morning, Mami brewed coffee with breakfast, and every afternoon she made another pot for her little “pick-me-up.”
The scent of dark coffee mixing with sugary dulce de leche is the smell of home.
“So tell me,” Mami says, settling into one of the chairs in the breakfast nook, “did the MacAllister hottie tell you to vacate his place?” She pats the seat beside her for me to join her.
I smile, trying to gather the courage to tell her that her only child is getting married in a month.
“No, nothing like that. He’s been great.” A genuine smile tugs at my lips as an image of Miles cooking dinner for us flashes through my mind.
“Then I can’t think of what could have you so…” Her words trail off as she lifts a mug of coffee hot enough to melt steel and takes a sip like it’s nothing.
“If everything’s okay with Miles, then what is it?”
“Do I smell coffee and empanadas?” Dad says as he enters the kitchen.
“Oh, hey Dad. I didn’t realize you were home,” I say as I stand up to hug him.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” He asks, a frown forming on his salt and pepper eyebrows.
“I don’t know.” I shrug as I take back my seat. “I thought maybe you’d be at the club playing poker.”
Dad’s face falls at my words.
I know this isn’t the way to bring things up, but I couldn’t help it. The words just came out.
“It’s actually a good thing he’s here,” Mami says after placing a tray with boiling coffee on the table. “She was about to tell me what has her so worried.”
I inhale deeply, trying to gather some strength to drop the bomb.
“I’m getting married.”
Her mug lands on the table with a sharp thud. Shock floods her face as her eyes widen.
Dad’s hand goes to his heart as he closes his eyes.
“Did you just say what I think you said?” she whispers, like saying it too loudly might make it real.
“Yeah, Ma. I’m getting married.”
I keep my eyes on Dad; his breathing is slow, and pain twists his face.
I hate this.
Either way—whether I marry Easton or let Dad lose the company—my family will break.
Tears threaten to spill, but I force myself to take a steadying breath before they can.
“Oh, Penny Bean.” She reaches for my hand. “I know you’re an adult and your choices are your own, but if this is because you’re pregnant and worried about what people might say, don’t do it.”
Warmth spreads through me as her fingers squeeze mine. I feel her love surrounding me as I tell her the biggest lie of my life.
“No, I’m not pregnant. I always use protection.” I force a smile, though I know it doesn’t reach my eyes. “I’m happy about getting married. Everything’s just happening so fast. I wish I’d had more time to share things with you.”
“I don’t understand why you’re in a rush then?”
The air fryer beeps, and she lifts a finger for me to wait while she stands.
“Anything to say, Dad?” My question comes with more bite than I intended. But I hope he knows I’m doing this for him.
“I’m just… taken aback by the news,” he says while rubbing his chest. “I just thought marriage wasn’t in your plans.”
“Dad?” I lean forward. “Are you okay?”
“Of course.” He offers me a reassuring smile, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
The words I was about to say die in my throat.
A moment later, Mami returns carrying a plate piled high with empanadas. The smell alone makes my mouth water.
“Alright,” I say, bracing myself. “I’ll start from the beginning. I reconnected with Easton a couple of months ago.”
Her entire face lights up at the mention of his name. She’s always had a soft spot for him.
“That’s right. His mother told me he was back.” She smiles warmly. “Isn’t that wonderful? He finally came home to put down roots where he belongs.”
“Yeah.” I force a small smile. “So… we’ve seen each other a few times here and there. I guess our friendship turned into something more.”
Mami slowly places her empanada back onto her plate before dabbing delicately at the corners of her mouth with a napkin.
“I know I’m going to sound like a broken record,” she says, lifting one shoulder in a helpless shrug, “but aren’t you living with Miles? How are you marrying Easton? Do they know about each other?”
There’s no judgment in her tone. Just honest curiosity.
I release a deep breath, my appetite disappearing completely.
“Easton knows I’m staying at Miles’s house. He understands it’s something I had to do while I work on the ice rink.” I close my eyes briefly, hating how much I’m keeping from her. “And Miles… he doesn’t know. We’re not a couple, Ma.”
“Are you sure about that?” she presses gently.
I nod, unable to meet her gaze.
“But then why the rush? I understand you’ve known each other since you were little, but if anything, that should make this even more special.”
Damn. She’s good.
Always digging deeper.
“And what about this Miles fella?” Dad asks, looking between Mami and me like he missed half the conversation. “I thought he was just Gio’s brother-in-law.”
“Ay, Ed.” Mami waves him off like the answer is obvious. “Miles has always had a thing for Penny.”
“What? Why would you say that?” I hurry to ask. The last thing I want is to explain my personal life to my father. “You don’t even know him.”
“Penny Marie, I don’t need to know him.” Mami points at me with her wine glass. “I get the gist of things through you.”
“She got you there, sweetheart.” Dad lets out a knowing laugh. “Your mom is basically psychic. Nothing gets past her.”
The two of them exchange a mischievous look, like they know something I don’t.
I take the opportunity to change the subject.
“So, what do you two have planned for the summer?” I ask, grabbing an empanada and practically shoving the whole thing into my mouth.
“Oh no, not so fast.” Mami tsks, and I know I’m about to be interrogated until dawn.
“You and Easton aren’t exactly spring chickens anymore. I suppose when you reach a certain age, it makes sense to marry someone you’ve known most of your life.” She pauses, clearly waiting for Dad to weigh in.
After a moment, he nods slowly. “I guess that makes sense. You’ve been close to Easton for decades.” His eyes lock onto mine. “But that doesn’t mean you have to marry him.”
Does he know?
“I mean, if you’re in love, then by all means.” His voice softens. “But don’t say yes just because you think that’s what you’re supposed to do.”
Before he can continue, I force out, “I do love Easton.”
I smile as convincingly as I can, trying to relax my face enough to make it believable.
“This is a good thing. I promise.”
I know I’m laying it on thick, but I can’t tell them the truth.
“Okay, well.” Mami reaches across the table to pat my hand gently. “If this is truly what you want, you know we’ll support you every step of the way.”
I’m not sure if she was secretly rooting for Miles and me, but I’m glad she doesn't push any further.
“I love you so much, my Penny girl,” Mami whispers after getting up from her chair and pulling me into a tight hug.
She gives me one last squeeze before reaching her hand to Dad.
He takes it without hesitation.
Then the two of them disappear down the hallway hand in hand toward her studio.
“I need to call Helen,” Mami says excitedly over her shoulder. “If you two lovebirds are getting married at the speed of light, then we have a lot of planning to do.”
Her excitement fills the entire house.
Meanwhile, something inside me starts to dim.
Here I am, letting my mother plan a wedding while all I think about is how I’m supposed to go back to the life I had before Miles.
Before him, everything felt manageable. Predictable.
Then he came crashing into my world with his stupid charm, sexy smirk, and giant heart, bringing light and happiness into places I didn’t even realize had gone dark.
And now I have to let him go.